Bralorne Sewer Upgrade

Electoral Area A

NEW: March 10, 2023

The SLRD has recently completed 5 residential sanitary service connections.

At the July 27, 2022 Board Meeting $5,000 from SLRD Area PILT funds was allocated towards the development of a simplified easy to understand sanitary flow map for Bralorne Townsites 1 and 2.  The map shows the new infrastructure as well as the existing infrastructure and how it has been tied into the new sewer collection system.

Maps

Budget:

The 2022 budget for the Bralorne sewer service is available as part of the SLRD’s Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1762-2022 and may be viewed through the link below, by scrolling down to “Exhibit 2800 – Bralorne Sewer”:

2022 Bralorne Sewer Budget 

In 2022 there was $137,000 in the budget for the Bralorne sewer project and $37,000 spent.  The draft 2023 budget allocates $100,000 for further project priorities as outlined below.  The project budget will be reviewed as part of the Board 2023 financial plan process with final financial plan approval taking place March 29, 2023. 

All Board meetings are open to the public and available through the SLRD’s CivicWeb portal.  Find information on upcoming and past meetings, view agendas and minutes, search for documents and watch meetings here: 

SLRD Meetings 

Project Priorities:

1. Connecting the remaining fourteen (14) Whiting Avenue homes within the service area to the new system. 

  • The Ministry of Environment and Climate Strategy (MOECCS) issued an amendment permit for the discharge period for the old wastewater system to be extended to January 2, 2031 providing time for the remaining fourteen (14) Bralorne homes within the service area to connect.
  • The SLRD Board approved funds from the Bralorne Sewer Cost Centre to be used to initiate and implement a pilot project for property owners of two Whiting Avenue properties to engage a certified plumber (of their choice) to complete the connection to the new sewer system.  Based on success of this pilot project a grant funding program for the remaining properties will be considered. 
  • As of November 2022, one Whiting Avenue property owner has commenced the pilot project process, with funding to be provided by the SLRD. 
  • If you are a Whiting Avenue property owner interested in the pilot project please email utilities@slrd.bc.ca for information on the program. 
  • Once all 14 homes are connected, the SLRD plans to decommission manholes and septic tanks that are no longer needed.

2. Replace original sections of sewer main in Townsite 1 on Marmot Crescent and Townsite 2 on Hawkes      Avenue.  Each section is approximately 200 metres and Class C cost estimates have been requested to  determine the timing of the work based on the existing project budget which will include 9 connections. 

3. Connect the remainder of the Bralorne homes that are currently on the new system through original  infrastructure.  These connections are currently occurring as repairs are completed that expose connections.

July 8, 2022

At the June 29, 2022 Board Meeting staff provided an Information Report to update on the progress of the operating permit amendment and pilot project to provide grant funding for Whiting Avenue properties to connect to the new Bralorne wastewater system.

In September 2020 the Bralorne wastewater system, servicing 92 properties within the service area, was commissioned. In December 2020 the SLRD applied to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Strategy (MOECCS) for an operating permit amendment of the old Bralorne wastewater system to continue to provide fourteen (14) property owners on Whiting Avenue additional time to pursue the connection to the new infrastructure. The SLRD proposed a reasonable timeline (ten years) along with the rationale on when the Whiting Avenue properties will be on the new system.

On April 27, 2022 staff received confirmation from MOECCS that the amendment permit process was complete and the discharge period for the old wastewater system had been extended to January 1, 2031. The expectation of the MOECCS is to have the remaining fourteen (14) Bralorne homes within the service area on the new system by this date.

In order to bring the remaining fourteen (14) homes on to the new system and comply with the MOECCS requirements to have the old system decommissioned a pilot project was introduced, to connect two Whiting Avenue properties to the new system. The intent of the pilot project is to provide staff with information to develop a grant program to complete the remaining fourteen (14) connections on Whiting Avenue within the MOECCS permit expiration timeline.

As of June 2022, the property owners have not taken the opportunity to use the funding to connect to the new system and staff are reaching out to other residents for the pilot project. If you are a Whiting Avenue property owner interested in the pilot project please email utilities@slrd.bc.ca for information on the program.  

 

May 12, 2021

Pilot Program

On January 13, 2021 the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) hosted an information meeting for the property owners of Whiting Avenue in Bralorne, to update on the wastewater system construction project and discuss next steps specific to their respective connections situated at the property line.

At the March 24, 2021 SLRD Board Meeting, the SLRD Board considered the staff recommendation regarding a pilot project to provide grant funding for two Whiting Avenue properties to connect to the New Bralorne sewer system.

The SLRD staff report outlined the proposal to implement a grant funding pilot project and then bring back a grant funding program for the remaining properties to a future Board meeting.

The SLRD Board approved this resolution, allowing for budgeted funds from the Bralorne Sewer Cost Centre to be used to initiate and implement the pilot project, for property owners of two Whiting Avenue properties to engage a certified plumber (of their choice) to complete the connection to the new sewer system.

At the completion of this pilot project, the SLRD Board will consider a proposed grant funding program for all of the remaining Whiting Avenue properties.

Once the remaining Whiting Avenue connections are complete, all of the properties in Bralorne will be tied into the new wastewater treatment system and the SLRD plans to decommission manholes and septic tanks that are no longer needed.  The SLRD has applied to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Strategy for a permit amendment of the old wastewater system to provide additional time for property owners to connect to the new system.  The Ministry is in the process of determining how much additional time it will authorize in respect of the permit amendment.  Once the timeline has been determined by the Ministry, the SLRD will inform property owners.

Presentation Materials from Community Meeting Available

A public meeting was held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar to update residents on the sewer project.

The presentation material is available here:

Meeting Agenda

 

A grant in the amount of $1,999,530.000 from the Federal Gas Tax Agreement - Strategic Priorities Fund (GTA - SPF) program administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, announced on Friday February 12, 2016, will see Bralorne’s century-old sewer finally brought into the 21st century.

The Bralorne Wastewater Collection System Upgrade and Secondary Treatment project will provide sewer servicing to all of Bralorne’s 101 properties. Existing manholes and septic tanks will be decommissioned. A new septic tank and innovative secondary treatment system with a new outfall into Cadwallader Creek will be installed. It will operate by gravity, require only annual operator maintenance and see effluent quality exceed secondary treatment standards.

The original sewer system serving the community of Bralorne, located in Electoral Area A of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), was constructed more than ninety years ago by the mining company operating in the area. The SLRD assumed ownership of the sewer infrastructure in 1989 after a developer overestimated the market for recreational and vacation properties and was unable to finance planned sewerage system improvements. 

Project Updates:

August 13, 2020

The SLRD has recently completed 3 sanitary service connections (2 residential and the firehall).

The Request for Proposals process (for 16 sanitary service connections) did not result in the selection of a contractor for this work, and therefore a new Request for Proposals will be issued in the coming weeks and will have a start date of spring 2021. 

On August 10, 2020, the discharge permit for the new wastewater treatment system was issued by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) - this will enable the commissioning of the new system to proceed in accordance with MOE requirements.

To assist staff with preparing for this community meeting, please forward any questions about the Bralorne Sewer to utilities@slrd.bc.ca with the subject line “Bralorne Community Meeting” – if possible, please send questions by September 28, 2020 so that information can be included in the presentation materials to address these questions.    

Next Steps:

  • The date of commissioning will be September 25, 2020.
  • Once the commissioning date is established, the SLRD will provide the Ministry of Environment with the required advance notice thereof.
  • By the end of September, the SLRD will issue a new Request for Proposals for 16 sanitary service connections with work to be undertaken in spring 2021;
  • On October 7, 2020, the SLRD will hold a virtual Bralorne Sewer community meeting (link above);

  • In spring 2021 (after the 16 connections mentioned above is completed), the SLRD plans to decommission manholes and septic tanks that are no longer needed.
     

     

May 15, 2020

Additional work on the Bralorne Sewer System project is underway. 

Work to be completed:

  • Tie-in remaining sanitary service connections;
  • Obtain a new discharge permit from Ministry of Environment (MOE) for the new wastewater treatment system - the timing of when this permit will be issued is beyond the control of the SLRD;
  • Commission new wastewater treatment plant (once new discharge permit is issued by MOE);
  • Decommission the old sewer system, 1 manhole in Townsite 1 and 1 septic tank in Townsite 2.

The 2020 budget for the Bralorne sewer service is available as part of the SLRD’s Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1670-2020 and may be viewed through the link below, by scrolling down to “Exhibit 2800 – Bralorne Sewer”:

With Covid-19 there are new challenges to be taken into consideration and the SLRD’s Department of Environmental Services is adjusting work and timelines to ensure compliance with current restrictions and physical distancing measures.  The department is closely following direction from the Provincial Health Officer in relation to work environments as it impacts homes and will adjust project completion accordingly.  The SLRD appreciates the community’s patience and understanding in these exceptional times as we commence next steps while aligning with current safety protocols. 

August 26, 2019

Work on Phase 2 of the Bralorne Sewer System project is now underway.

Phase 2 includes:

  • Construction of four sanitary sewer manholes
  • Construction of 400 metres of collection mains
  • Construction of new wastewater treatment plant including septic tanks, bio filters and outfall,

The project is expected to be completed in late fall, 2019.

For more information, please contact:

Ed Witwicki
Senior Engineering Technologist
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
604-894-6371 ext. 227
ewitwicki@slrd.bc.ca

May 22, 2019

The SLRD carried out an Alternate Approval Process (AAP) for the Bralorne Sewer System Local Government Conversion and Establishment Bylaw.

Two (2) completed elector response forms were submitted to the SLRD by the deadline date; eight (8) elector responses were required to defeat the bylaw amendment without proceeding to an assent vote (referendum) on this matter. The final results have now been certified by the Corporate Officer, and a Request For Decision will be considered by the SLRD Board at its Board Meeting today. 

Request for Decision - Bralorne Sewer System Local Service Conversion and Establishment Bylaw

April 4, 2019:

The SLRD received approval from the Inspector of Municipalities to undertake an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for the proposed Bralorne Sewer System Local Government Conversion and Establishment Bylaw to allow the SLRD to tax requisition the additional funds necessary to pay the debt servicing costs associated with a short-term (5 year) loan of $300,000.

Bralorne Sewer AAP

March 6, 2019:

On January 26, 2019 there was an Assent Vote in respect of the Bralrone Wastewater Treatment System. The official results of that vote are available here.

A staff report was shared with the Board at the February 27, 2109 Board Meeting. 

January 8, 2019: Notice of Community Meeting regarding Assent Vote (January 26, 2019)

Resident electors and non-resident property electors of the Bralorne Sewer Service Area are invited to attend a meeting with SLRD staff to learn more about the Assent Vote taking place to obtain elector approval to borrow the funds needed to complete the Bralorne sewer upgrade:

  • Tuesday, January 15, 2019
  • 6 p.m.
  • Bralorne Fire Hall (3155 Pioneer Road, Gold Bridge, BC)

December 13, 2018

The SLRD carried out an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) seeking to obtain elector approval of a loan of up to $700,000 and the associated increase to the maximum annual tax requisition to service such loan.  The deadline to receive elector responses was November 13, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.

The AAP failed, as more than 10% of the estimated electors were opposed to the SLRD’s intention to adopt a new loan authorization bylaw (for the loan of up to $700,000) and a bylaw amendment to increase the maximum annual tax requisition to service such loan. 

At the November 28, 2018 SLRD Board meeting, the Board authorized elector approval to be carried out via an assent vote (i.e. Referendum). More information on the Assent Vote, including voter eligibility and voting dates and locations, as well as important forms and documents, can be found here. 

October 3, 2018

The SLRD received approval from the Inspector of Municipalities on September 5, 2018 to undertake the AAP noted below.

More information on the Alternative Approval Process including the Notice of AAP and information on submitting an electoral response can be found on the Bralorne Sewer AAP page. 

September 11, 2018

  • At its meeting on July 25, 2018 the SLRD Board gave third reading to Bralorne Wastewater Treatment System Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1595-2018. The bylaw has now been forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval, pursuant to the Community Charter and the Local Government Act. Should approval be granted, the SLRD will then undertake an Alternative Approval Process to garner the elector support to take out a 30-year loan up to $700,000 to enable the completion of the Bralorne Sewer Upgrade project.  
  • Learn more about the Alternative Approval Process for Local Government.

August 8, 2018

  • Hazelwood Construction Services has been awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the sewer reconstruction project in the town of Bralorne and plans to begin construction August 20, 2018, with a September 2019 completion date.  

June 22, 2018 

  • Due to unforeseen circumstances, the tendering process was delayed to the spring of 2018. The Request for Tenders was issued on April 6, 2018 and closed on May 8, 2018.
  • Four tenders were received, all of which were substantially higher than the initial cost estimate obtained in 2015 when the SLRD submitted its grant application for federal Gas Tax funding.
  • Given the funding shortfall, the SLRD has been exploring options that would enable this vital community infrastructure project to proceed.
  • The SLRD is holding a Community Information Meeting on Thursday, June 28, 2018 (6:00 p.m.) at the Bralorne Fire Hall to provide residents and property owners with a project update, and to discuss the options for moving forward. 

June 23, 2017

  • This project is almost ready to go to Tender (accepting bids on the construction work).  For an update on the project, as well as the expected timeline, please check out this summary report!

December 23, 2016 

  • An information session was held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the basement of the Bralorne Community Church to update residents on the project.
  • A Summary of the presentation (treatment process, tie-ins, costs, anticipated service delays, and requirements of homeowners) can be downloaded here.

December 1, 2016 

  • The detailed design of the new sewerage collection and treatment system is 90% complete.
  • Property owners have been mailed an update and a service card this week, delineating the proposed location of the new service for their property.
  • Please contact Stuart Purves, spurves@true.bc.ca, with questions, or if you have not received a letter before December 16. 

July 27, 2016

  • The SLRD Board awarded the contract to design and create the tendering documents for the project to TRUE Consulting Ltd. 

Background about the old sanitary system

The original sewer system serving the community of Bralorne, located in Electoral Area A of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), was constructed more than ninety years ago by the mining company operating in the area at that time. A development company later took over the ownership of the system after purchasing the mine site from the mining company. The SLRD assumed ownership of the sewer infrastructure in 1989 after the developer overestimated the market for recreational and vacation properties and was unable to finance planned sewerage system improvements.

The sewer system, servicing 101 lots in two adjacent town sites, is two separate gravity systems comprised of vitrified clay tile pipes that flow into two septic tanks. From there, the effluent flows through outfall pipes which discharge into Cadwalladar Creek.

The sewer infrastructure was constructed well before the time of generally accepted standards and much of the system is tresspassing on private property, making it difficult for the SLRD to perform repairs and maintenance on the system. The collection system is well beyond its expected lifespan and is need of upgrading.

The SLRD had been working to secure grant funding to upgrade the sewer infrastructure. 

On September 11, 2014, the SLRD learned that the outfall pipe from the septic tank servicing Townsite #1 had ruptured. Following an onsite inspection SLRD staff determined that the pipe was beyond repair. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) was contacted and permission was granted to install a new outfall pipe. The new line was in service on October 1, 2014. 

The MOE advised the SLRD of their plans to update the SLRD's operating permit to bring the system into compliance with the current Wastewater System Effluent Regulations. The new regulations require all sewer systems to provide, at minimum, secondary treatment. This means that it will be necessary to install a process to substantially degrade the organic content of the sewage prior to dispersion into Cadwalladar Creek. 

Now, thanks to the grant funding, instead of an expensive system retrofit, the Bralorne Wastewater Treatment System will be replaced with a state of the art service, befitting the striking natural environment and high quality drinking water infrastructure the community currently enjoys. 

Additional Information